Diamond Court Prosecutor under the radar as robbery accused walks
L-R Re-arrested Ryan Chung and still to be located for a re-appearance in court Antonio Maraj
The police continue to face some challenges with keeping serial offenders off the street in order for citizens to be able to live and go about their daily routines in a safe and free manner.
Just recently ( June 16, 2021) the police in Regional Division 4 ‘C’ had cause to re-arrest a man they described as a serial robber after he was able to secure bail in the magistrate court, this was notwithstanding the fact that the court and its prosecutor were reportedly informed that in addition to the initial matter the man and his accomplice were before the court in connection with ( On May 31, 2021) they had four other matters which under investigations and being filed for court upon the next court appearance of the duo.
35-year-old businessman Ryan Chung and 23-year-old laborer Antonio Maraj were initially charged with robbery under arms committed on Desiree Defreits on May 25, 2021, at Land of Cannan E.B.D where she operates a shop.
When the two appeared in court on May 31, 2021, the prosecutor was informed that several other matters of an identical nature were being prepared against the two accused and statements were being taken. The prosecutor was informed that he should communicate same to the magistrate and that those additional matters would be filed on the date for which the initial matter was being adjourned. (June 11, 2021)
It turned out that when the matter was called again on June 11, 2021, for the duo who were on remand, when attempts were made to file the additional matters the prosecutor reportedly refused to facilitate the process causing both of the men to be placed on bail to the tune of $150, 000.
Among the additional charges was for a robbery under armed report against Sophia Tejowah which occurred on May 18, 2021, at 18 at Coverden EBD where she reported that the said two suspects robbed her.
The additional charges were however filed on the 14, June for the 16 of June 2021 against both men. The men did not show up for court on that day but when Chung showed up at the police station on Wednesday to uplift his vehicle which was lodged there, the police promptly held onto him in connection with the additional charges which were laid against him on Thursday. he shipped off to court on Friday before Magistrate Judy Latchman who remanded the accused to jail until June 29, 2021.
Both Chung and Maraj appeared at the Diamond/Grove Magistrates court on May 31 where they both pleaded not guilty and were remanded to prison until the re-adjournment date of June 11, 2021.
Antonio Maraj who was granted bail and was to be in court on Monday did not show up for his matter. The two accused have been reportedly dressing like law enforcement officers and carry out robberies along the East Bank Demerara. It is said that the two have some very close connections to serving members of the police force and are given access to police uniforms and another component of the police kit.
